Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
(Psalm 23:1 (ESV))
What does it mean to want?
According to Merriam-Webster, "want" is a verb that means to be needy or destitute. It can also mean to fail to possess, or to have a strong desire for. Think about those definitions with respect to this passage.
I shall not be needy.
I shall not fail to possess.
I shall not have a strong desire for.
Perhaps we need to look at how a different translation handled this passage.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
(Psalm 23:1 (NIV))
Sadly, the English language is not the best at being descriptive with the words that we have. These two translations have tried to express what David was expressing, but, in my opinion, the English language doesn't do it justice.
When we place our faith in the Lord and we rely on Him as our Good Shepherd, we truly lack nothing for He will supply all of our needs. We won't be needy. Everything that is His He freely gives to those who love Him. The only strong desire that we should feel is to know Him.
I love how the very same sentiment that David expressed was also recorded in Matthew as Jesus spoke these words.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
(Matthew 6:33 (NIV))
If we follow the Lord, He will provide. If we earnestly seek Him, He will take care of all of our needs, but if we seek after our needs first, then we have lost step. We no longer hear His voice and respond to His call. The reason that David wrote that the Lord is his shepherd is based on the sheep knowing the voice of the shepherd and following that voice.
Do you know and follow the Lord?
Copyright 1998 - 2024 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
https://www.dailylivingministries.org
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